re her name. I suspect it is that same
voice which we hear now."

"A human voice! Impossible!"

"What is the matter, Alice?" Mrs Grey asked of her maid out of the
window.

"Oh, ma'am, it is Mrs Plumstead! And she is coming this way, ma'am.
She will be upon us before we can get to the house. Oh, ma'am, what
shall we do?"

Mrs Grey entreated permission of the ladies to allow the maid-servants
to come into the summer-house. Their caps might be torn from their
heads before they could defend themselves, she said, if they remained
outside. Of course, leave was given instantly, and the maids crowded
in, with chattering teeth and many a tale of deeds done by Mrs
Plumstead, in her paroxysms of rage.

The children shared the panic, more or less: and not only they. Mr
Grey proposed to put up the shutters of the windows nearest to the scene
of action; but it was thought that this might draw on an attack from the
virago, who might let the party alone if she were left unnoticed by
them. She was now full in sight, as, with half Deerbrook at her heels,
she pursued the object of her rage through the falling shower, and
amidst the puddles in front of the stables. Her widow's cap was at the
back of her head, her hair hanging from beneath it, wet in the rain: her
black gown was splashed to the shoulders; her hands were clenched; her
face was white as her apron, and her vociferations were dreadful to
hear. She was hunting a poor terrified young countrywoman, who, between
fright and running, looked ready to sink.

"We must put a stop to this," cried Mr Grey and Mr Rowland, each
speaking to the other. It ended with their issuing forth together,
looking as dignified as they could, and placing themselves between the
scold and her victim. It would not do. They could not make themselves
heard; and when she shook her fist in their faces, they retired
backwards, and took refuge among their party, bringing the victim in
with them, however. Mr Enderby declared this retreat too bad, and was
gone before the entreaties of his little nieces could stop him. He held
his ground longer; and the dumb show he made was so energetic as to
cause a laugh in the summer-house, in the midst of the uneasiness of his
friends, and to call forth shouts of mirth from the crowd at the
virago's heels.

"That will not do. It will only exasperate her the more," said Mr
Hope, pressing his way to the door. "Let me pass, will you?"

"Oh, Mr Hope! Oh